POLL: Did you peak and what did you do about it?

[Marsu42]

I'm wondering about how the skill progression of other people is/was and if they feel they've "peaked" at some point and your photography results didn't get better. Did you ever feel you keep shooting and doing the same things over and over again, but lacked the imagination or skill to move on? Did you even feel that you were better in the past, for whatever reasons?

If so, I'd be interested what you do/did to be able to move forward. Keep experimenting? Read internet tutorials or books? Participate in dynamic range discussions on CR :-> ?

I hope some people vote and share their thoughts. For me, learning to shoot "good" pictures was easy with some trial & error, "very good" is possible but requires a lot of concentration & time, but "really excellent" might need something I haven't acquired. Yet

 

[Mt Spokane Photography]

I'm always learning, and pickup a lot of good tips here (Some bad ones too )

New equipment does help me with things that I can't control like high ISO photography where supplemental light is forbidden and there is fast motion. That makes for less noise, but does not make better photos.

 

[AcutancePhotography]

How would one measure whether their skills have peaked?

I would like to meet a photographer who claims that they have peaked and have nothing more to learn.... actually, I would probably hate that conversation.

Even with stacked 2X converters, I still can't see the point when my photography skills would peak ;D... I don't want them to peak.

 

[Marsu42]

How would one measure whether their skills have peaked?

You can't measure it, just feel it for yourself - or ask other people when showing them current shots and the ones from the last months or years. If you or they cannot determine any progress considering technical or artistic skill, you've peaked. And in this context technical improvement doesn't mean 1d4->1dx or 5d2->5d3, even on CR :->

 

[mackguyver]

Once I win the Nobel Prize for Photography ( ), have won every major contest/award, am a household name, have been published in expensive photo books, and make people cry in joy or sadness / gasp in amazement of my work, I'll let you know...until then, I'll keep working on getting better!

 

[Marsu42]

until then, I'll keep working on getting better!

I'm amazed by the confidence of the CR users, probably when sitting in front of a screen, typing posts on CR you feel like an invincible photog . As all people keep getting better (yes, I voted this too, but barely) I really have to check up on the posters: If people never peak, this means it'll be a tough fight for "photog of the year" in the future

 

[slclick]

Just keep those creative lows, lulls and blocks coming and I'll never have an issue with peaking!

 

[mackguyver]

until then, I'll keep working on getting better!

I'm amazed by the confidence of the CR users, probably when sitting in front of a screen, typing posts on CR you feel like an invincible photog . As all people keep getting better (yes, I voted this too, but barely) I really have to check up on the posters: If people never peak, this means it'll be a tough fight for "photog of the year" in the future

I think the word you're really looking for is plateau and that's something we all do. The plateau doesn't have to be flat, however, but it's unlikely to be the jagged peak it was when we were just learning photography or moving into higher end equipment. I'm still hopeful for some future peaks, and each new genre requires a new climb. It's possible that one of those new climbs could lead to a far higher place than where one is right now

 

[Marsu42]

I think the word you're really looking for is plateau and that's something we all do. The plateau doesn't have to be flat, however, but it's unlikely to be the jagged peak it was when we were just learning photography or moving into higher end equipment.

Well, I'm just learning photography and in this case, "peak" is really the word that fits what I'm thinking of. That's because in my experience, when you're new at a genre or style, you're eager and put a lot of work and concentration into it. If you (i.e. I) don't keep moving forward, I'm becoming lazier and the results get *worse* - that's why I chose "peaked". Happened to me with mushroom macro focus stacking, good results, but a hilarious amount of work, so if it's becoming boring the shots aren't as good anymore.

 

[dhr90]

I voted for the first option. I am still learning and I feel I'm still improving. At least I certainly hope that is the case! If I've peaked at what I would describe as reasonable for a keen hobbyist, at the age of 24 then I will be very disappointed!

 

[distant.star]

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Tous les jours à tous points de vue je vais de mieux en mieux!!

 

[Besisika]

.
Tous les jours à tous points de vue je vais de mieux en mieux!!

You must be in your young age. Get old and we will see if you are getting stronger, unless your positive attitude convinces you that weaker means better. "La ligne entre attitude positive et arrogance est tres mince"

Yes, I peaked some 2 years ago. Not because I was mister perfect, just I didn't know anymore how to get better. I realized that I had a lot to learn, just I didn't know how to.
I met someone who told me that my biggest problem was that I am too stuburn and assume too much that how I do or think is the right way. Like, I shoot with a very good camera and there is no need to fix anything in post I just need to shoot better, or it is the weakness of my camera that I don't get good result in low light, or I have shot in JPG for years and I have been fine so why would waste time in shooting raw, and so on.
I said to myself: I haven't win anything, I am not making good money, so why would I think that he is wrong?

I need to learn, and learn alot more. I am still nobody. Narrow mind made me peak. Will peak no more! That's why I read CR everyday; some good advice here sometime.

 

[Dylan777]

If there is a poll for most "boring and crappy photos", mines will be at top

From the beginning, I build my gear based on my kids. Times went by, I
m getting bored with just kids photos. Decided to try sports and wildlife photography, well things are getting much more interesting now. Wish I have more times.

About try diff. type of photography? Sports, wildlife, moon star etc....

 

[DominoDude]

It's a slippery slope... Some days are good, others are really crappy. In some ways I think I'm much better today, but I often sense that I lack the "eye" I once had. Also lost that feeling I had for shadows and how they helped build depth and interest in a photo. Could be the penalty for shooting loads of birds and BIFs where split vision and split second timing throws me off the sane thinking needed to create a stunning image.
Other distractions in life, also part of the reason for situation as it is.

 

[mackguyver]

It's a slippery slope... Some days are good, others are really crappy. In some ways I think I'm much better today, but I often sense that I lack the "eye" I once had. Also lost that feeling I had for shadows and how they helped build depth and interest in a photo. Could be the penalty for shooting loads of birds and BIFs where split vision and split second timing throws me off the sane thinking needed to create a stunning image.
Other distractions in life, also part of the reason for situation as it is.

Shooting wildlife is an incredibly frustrating endeavor - the stupid models either don't show up, show up in the wrong place, or run away as soon as you get near them. Even if you find a cooperative one, they don't hold still, often stand in the worst light, and turn away from you as soon as you get them in focus. That's not to mention the 'studio' which either seems to give you amazing or crap light with no control and it changes by the second sometimes!

If you get a good wildlife shot, you feel amazing, but if you come home with nothing, you feel like the crappiest photographer. So back to the topic, you can peak one day, and crash the valley floor the next! That's why I try to mix it up a bit...

 

[Menace]

I hope I'll always be getting better and better.

 

[Roo]

I'm still a long way from peaking. As long as there are new skills to learn, new places to visit and lots of creative people to draw inspiration from I don't think I'll ever peak

 

[Marsu42]

I'm still a long way from peaking [...] I don't think I'll ever peak

I'll add this in my the list of "famous last words" :->

 

[DominoDude]

I'm still a long way from peaking [...] I don't think I'll ever peak

I'll add this in my the list of "famous last words" :->

Here's another one:
"It's better to peak than to flatlin..... *beeeeeeeeeeeep*" :

 

[Sportsgal501]

I'm getting better or getting more comfortable.

I started shooting skateboarding/longboarding in 2011,now I shoot mostly skateboarding and I have improved a great deal. I look at my shots from the past and chuckle.